I survived the Boston highways (barely)

I have a feeling this will be a long entry. I forgot to mention previously that last Sunday I walked around the Arnold Arboretum, which is a huge arboretum (I think the world’s largest or something), and is really close to my apartment. It’s nice to have something like that so close for when I need a bit of nature in my life. It will be great for walking or jogging and I anticipate it being quite beautiful once the leaves change (which they are starting to).

I love this time of year! This weekend was beautiful. High 60s/Low 70s and sunny – perfect for walking around Boston. I guess I spoke too soon about having my weekends to myself, because on Sunday I ended up working, haha. I offered to do it and it was actually pretty fun, although exhausting. I sold coffee at this fall arts/crafts/music festival near where I work. We were consistently busy selling coffee and a lot of people seemed to know about EE. I got to walk around the festival a bit, too. Oh, but it was my first driving experience in Boston. For anyone who knows my driving style (generally nervous and only about five over the speed limit), driving around here is SCARY to me. First of all, the roads don't make sense. They come at all angles and circles and half the time the street signs aren't visible in a way that I'm used to. Also, during rush hour you can drive in the "breakdown lane," a.k.a. the SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I had a string of problems on my way to the festival but somehow I made it. The way back went much smoother although I'm not really sure why, since I was half following Mapquest, half intuition. I almost cried when I pulled up to an intersection and realized it was my street. I made it! That being said, I don't plan on driving very much at all around here.

On Satuday, I walked to downtown JP and went to the bank (got my first paycheck on Friday, yay!). There was an "Open Studio" day where you could visit different art studios or something. I'm not really sure what it was actually. Then I got my week's groceries at the food co-op and took the bus back home. It was my first solo bus trip and I felt quite proud. But I didn't take it far enough and ending up walking a few blocks with my grocery bags. I'm telling you, my arms are getting strong from carrying groceries.

Saturday wasn't actually National Free Museum Day - somehow I made that up. Smithsonian Magazine was just sponsoring a free museum day but you had to acquire a pass (which I did) and it was only good for one museum visit. I decided to go to the Museum of Fine Arts. It was very big and really cool. I only spent about an hour and a half there, but I saw plenty. They had one room that was modeled after a Buddhist Temple, which was one of my favorite parts. I also enjoyed the 19th Century European paintings, which included some Van Gogh, Renoir and Monet. They had a Monet painting of the Rouen Cathedral, which Molly and I saw in France last year. (Some of you might remember me talking about seeing a special light show that projected Monet's paintings onto the actual cathedral.)

Then, I walked around downtown Boston for a bit. I went to Border's and got a few CDs. They had a great selection of music. I was exhausted by then and went back home for the evening. I watched a few episodes of the British version of "The Office." It's hilarious. It reminds me of Christopher Guest's humor, which I love.

So, here's the part most of you probably don't want to hear. Since I've lived in JP, there has been a shooting and a stabbing. I know the stabbing was fatal; I'm not sure about the shooting. I am going to start taking the bus more (now that I know how), especially at night. Quite a change from Richland, where the biggest crime was probably bored teenagers TPing their friends/enemies. But really, I do feel safe in JP, so mother, please don't worry too much. :)

And now I'm going to get preachy ... I just want to remind everyone of your power as consumers. How you choose to spend your money does make a difference. I encourage you to buy local and fair trade products as much as possible. In other words, Wal-Mart = Bad. Starbucks = Bad. OK, that's all.

Happy Monday!